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Brooklyn

A Midwest TG in the Big Apple

By Lauren Michaels
(formerly Cynthia Roberts)


 Hello ladies, and welcome to my new life. Yes, new life! For members of TG Forum who remember, I last wrote about TG Clubs and life in Kansas City, Missouri. I have since left the home of Cowboys, Indians and Jesse James and joined the citified folk in New York. If you think being TG and getting out in your home town for the first time is a big step, try going from the Midwest, knowing everyone in the clubs, stores and, well you get the picture, to a city like New York. Ooof! At first glance New York is overwhelming and confining, kind of like your first corset, tight and totally painful but, after a while you get used to it. After only two short weeks, I felt like I had "come home" ( the corset ? I threw it away! much to confining).

In New York it has never been easier or safer, to perfect your femme image and personality. As you get out and explore you will be pleasantly surprised just how much our culture is appreciated in today’s society. I hope you enjoy! All the clubs I mention, the restaurants and retail shops have been fantastic! The owners have all said that anyone and everyone is welcome. All they ask is that we act like ladies. Not hard to do in today’s society! Someone has to be a lady! Perhaps we are the new feminine movement in the world. Totally weird but, have you ever considered the Japanese Geisha and how GG women are sent to them for training in being a woman?

 The transition from Midwestern dress and attitude to that of the East Coast "anything goes" way of life had the biggest impression on me as a newcomer to the Big Apple. When it was said "If you can make it here you can make it anywhere" I had no idea what was meant. Now, I am here and I have a very good idea of what was meant! Everything I imagined, heard or read about New York did not prepare me for the attitude, work ethic or the cultural differences found in the Big Apple. If you compare what I wrote about Kansas City to this one about New York you will understand some of the hurdles I had to quickly overcome. I had just started a new job, with full relocation and a very hefty increase in pay, and all I could think of was getting out of my suit and into a new dress!

My daily male work life is a stretch of eight hours, but the other sixteen hours are all mine! What about sleep? In New York? You have to be kidding! Every day in New York has been a new adventure, one full of promise and excitement. Have you ever been unable to sleep prior to starting a vacation, a new job, a date, getting a new car, dress, shoes or whatever? Then you know what it is like! It seems my whole life was a prelude to New York. You should be here! I have lived too long closeted inside my very narrow male focus. It is now time for this girl to let her hair down and dance the night away. Come join me!

 Arriving in Staten Island, New York in late October, I had only two months to explore this vast city and plan for my totally femme Christmas. I wanted to spend a complete week as myself (female) and not even touch the male persona. During the months of November and most of December, I had to find clubs to perform in (yes sing, not lip sync, come and see!), shops to buy clothes and shoes, a hairstylist for my hair and find the best means of transportation in this great big city that never sleeps. Needless to say, I had a considerable amount of research to do. Looking back, it was all worth it, as you will read. Perhaps you will take advantage of my exploration, discovery and maybe a bit of my advise? If you do, the work was worth it, even if you don’t, I sure had fun!

 The clothing, shoes and hair was easy. I just got up my little TG nerve and started visiting shops and looking at what was hot and what was not. I spent a considerable amount of time in the malls, studying the styles being worn as daily dress. I also spent time in a number of clubs watching what women did and how they approached club life in New York. Take my word for it, in this city life is definitely different than that in Kansas City!

After a week of looking on Staten Island for just the right store for clothing, I picked "Dress for Less" on Hyland Boulevard. The Manager is very helpful and supportive. The store has the most varied, upscale and chic dress and casual wear for the best price on the Island, or in New York that I have found. After my first visit (of course I tried on the outfits) I left with four very dressy outfits for nights on stage and dinner out in fancy restaurants. The experience is well worth it girls, this is a shop you need to visit and buy from! The secret to my success in shopping for clothing? If you remember anything about what I write in this article, remember this simple statement: "Be honest!" Find the Manager, or a sales representative you feel comfortable with and tell them "the outfits are for you". After the surprise wears off they are more than willing to help you ( I promise!). With the secret comes the responsibility of acting like a lady and treating the other patrons with respect and the management with fairness. In other words, after trying on twenty outfits, buy a few of the ones that fit and look the best. Above all, when you go in to a new shop, start out to make a friend! When you do that you will always have a wide selection of clothes waiting for you to try on when you get there. The girls pick out new shipment outfits for you in your size and style before you get there. This makes shopping a personal best experience.

When going into a new shop always set the stage by saying "I do not want to embarrass your staff or customers but, I would like to shop for clothing for myself in your establishment, is that going to be a problem"? Using this approach there have only been three stores out of the twelve I have visited object to me trying on outfits. However the same three have all been kind enough to call when new shipments arrive and give me a preview (first right of refusal) during non-business hours. Since Christmas I have taken advantage of this option and have benefited from it with better prices and service, plus I made friends. The sales associates and managers have all come to the shows when I perform. Great PR!. So you see being TG, you can bat a thousand if you are willing to take a chance. Place faith in yourself and make your attitude strong in belief and you can do it to! When you are comfortable with yourself, others have no choice but to accept you for the way you are ( or so my experience has led me to find). Remember, buying two wardrobes is expensive, so my system is less expensive in the long-run you buy only what fits and looks good on you. Get out and make a friend the rest will follow and you will have fun at the same time.

 Shopping for new hair and a new style (more upbeat) was even more exciting. Hair just does not look the same on a male face as it does on a female one. I started out looking in my male form but, when I found the perfect store with a great staff I went back as me, enfemme. By far the most fun I have ever had in a store trying out new hair styles is at Beauty Express, 643 Forest Avenue, Staten Island. I walked out of my first session with three new styles and two new colors. I added a new shop to my list and three new friends to my "I like you for you list". Now, a word of caution if business gets to busy at Beauty Express for me to get in for maintenance on my styles or to get a new cut, I expect you ladies to have pity on me and let me cut in line, after all who told you about these places anyway? Hair lends differing personalities to my activities. Does your style bring your look together too, or is it only me? Come on girls, we women have the choice of how the world looks at us! Use our advantage! Dress to please yourself and your ever changing moods. As I said previously, I perform in clubs, so my appearance is as important as my voice and attitude. Nothing pulls a look together better than a hairstyle the fits your mood and your outfit. When you feel beautiful, your view of the world is better and for me more exotic. The world in turn, looks at you differently. Getting "Read" ? When you have an attitude of beauty and confidence it will happen less often. If you do get read? Remember your attitude, THEY are the one with the problem not YOU! FIDO Forget It & Drive On. All my clothing and hair comes from business on Staten Island, NY. There are numerous shops in Manhattan, NY on 14th Street, and they are all great! I just prefer the convenience of those closer to home.

 Shoes are a no brainer to shop for on Staten Island, or anywhere for that matter, if you are up to size 11 women’s. Over 11 you need to go to Manhattan on 14th Street, or use the many catalogues available or, use the Internet! JC Penny even carries most styles up to 11 as does Sears, Learners of New York, Aldos, Express, Payless, and Kenney shoes. Use discretion here but, my system has worked in all the stores I have gone in so far. Trying on the shoes is up to you and how you feel being in your male mode sitting down in front of a crowd and putting your pretty painted toes into 3 1/2 inch heels? Dressed enfemme? Go for it! In your male mode, may I suggest knowing your exact size and just pick out a pair you like than try them on in the car? Hey! Don’t laugh it used to work for me. Once you get comfortable with yourself and your new attitude in life you won’t need gimmicks, you will be honest (who cares anyway). As a disclaimer, "if you are worried about being seen by people you know", than by all means practice out of town. In the end it is your call, let common sense be your guide.

 Transportation in New York is easy. From Staten Island I can take the Ferry (no pun) to Manhattan, than the train, bus or taxi to my final destination. Mostly, I take a cab from the ferry, quicker and in the long run more comfortable. You can also get to were you want to go in your personal car but, your shocks and nerves will take a beating from the bad roads and worse drivers, and there probably won’t be a parking spot when you get there. So, bottom line, take your pick try different modes, whatever fits your budget and style. Try a carriage ride around Central Park (I did), or for the adventurous, walk (not recommended in heels)! Anyway you choose New York is easy to get around in.

 I next went in search of restaurants for food and atmosphere. As well as clubs to socialize and ultimately perform in. Kansas City prepared me for the performing part but, I wanted to really utilize my female voice. I thought I could sing well as a female and that was half the battle, the other half was actually doing it and accepting the crowds verdict. Just a quick note, the advertising of restaurants and clubs friendly to us in the TG community is sorely lacking.

For a Midwest TG transplant to the "Big City" getting information was a very big hurdle to overcome. I had to rely on a starting point given me by a very dear friend in Kansas City, who I need to thank from the bottom of my heart, thank you Randy you are a gem! My first stop was dinner at "Lucky Cheng’s" in the East Village 24, 1st Avenue off Houston. The food is Oriental and the staff all TG! The clientele is mixed but, always open and acccepting. From this starting point the rest, as they say is "history".

How about the "Hard Rock Cafe of Drag"? Didn’t know we had one? we do, it is called "Lips" located at 2 Bank Street in the West Village. Here we have meals much too large for one TG female to eat, so take a friend and split it! The staff are all TG, the clientele is anything from political hack, movie star’s (let’s) and everything in between. On New Years the party theme was the "Titanic". The place was floating in champagne and rocking to the rhythm of period music as well as TG performances. This is a very enjoyable restaurant/club and has my vote for the best in New York!

The next stop on my wild ride of New York life was the "Now Bar", 22 Seventh Avenue Southon the outskirts of the Village. For TG’s the nights are Thursday from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and Saturday the same time. The star and hostess of the show "Trannie Chaser" is Glorya Whole. Wow! this woman has been living the life. She is in transition and knows the pain and ecstasy of being TG. Anything you want to know about New York and the TG scene, from doctors, hair, clothing, electrolysis to SRS she can tell you from lots of experience. Glorya will do anything for you, except give you her fiancee "Gil". Hers was the first club in the Big Apple were I performed. I have since started a campaign to bring Country Music to the City.

So far, it has been well received. I have since found I was right, I can sing! Or so the patrons in the clubs have told me. I get asked back!

The other clubs to get your little TG body acclimated to are; "Barracuda" 275 West 22nd Street on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sunday is a Brunch show and it than goes on from there. Looking to be a TG Star? Be here on Thursday night for Mona Foot’s star search. Then there is "Twirl" 208 West 23rd Street for dancing and shows or try "Twilo". "Twilo" is located at 530 West 27th street. The dancing and party atmosphere is nothing short of electrifying. If you want more, give me time to explore, but try these first! After all I have only been here a short three months, and need to get invited to perform and to talk to other girls to find out their viewpoint on the clubs for us.

 As you see from the clothing shops, restaurants, clubs for performing and being seen in, my Christmas if, planned well could be nothing short of terrific! The perfect outfit for Christmas was found in a red two piece jacket dress, picked out for me by the manager of Dress for Less. My red heals were bought at JC Penney on Staten Island. My long blonde hair and style from Beauty Express. I accessorize to the maximum with earrings, watch bracelet, necklace, bracelet, new leather full length coat and a purse to match the shoes (of course). My perfume? Lauren of course! I have never felt more feminine or ready for a lovely evening than I did on Thursday December 25, 1997.

 I had already spent from Friday afternoon the previous week as my feminine self (work holiday) and was comfortable with my appearance, attitude and ability to be a woman in New York. This was the night! Dinner reservations were made at Lips for 8 p.m. First, a quick check of my makeup, another touch of the hair and a short drive to the Ferry for a leisurely ride across the river to Manhattan. Then a cab ride to 2 Bank Street. For my meal I chose the Duck (could only eat half) it melted in my mouth, with a flavor I have never tasted anywhere else but, would recommend to everyone. After dinner, I chatted with the girls and enjoyed the company of a husband and wife visiting from Israel. I had to draw the line with a gentleman who kept offering to buy me drinks (much to pushy!). Deal with it girls, it is part and parcel to your exploration of the feminine. Expect to be chatted-up (as the British say), especially when you look and feel great. When a man does ask to sit down and buy you a drink, quickly evaluate his intentions, his attitude and yes his looks, than either say "please" if he meets with your approval, or "I am waiting for someone" if he doesn’t.

Flirting is an art. When you flirt, be cautious, learn from watching other women, practice in the mirror at home than give it a go in public. Nothing is ever as expected, so be ready to think on your feet and deal with situations as they arise. Throughout almost six years being "out" in public, I have learned that a wink to a man one night means something else to another on the next. Just the way you look at a man, the way you walk or even the way you flip your hair has an affect on how he will treat you. If you look like a lady, chances are he will treat you as one. The opposite is true, if you act easy, than expect to be treated like a Tart. When you have lived the life and perfected your image and your flirting attitude, when you are again in your male personality, you will never take another GG woman’s glances and body language for granted again. Women will always be treated differently in the future, when you have "walked a mile in their shoes".

After parting company with my new friends at Lips, it was off in a cab (the stories are true New York cabbies are crazy!) to the Now Bar for my 2 a.m. performance and to bring my Christmas night to a close.

 The Christmas show at the Now bar was entitled "A very Tranny Christmas". If you think everyone was at home on this night of worship and exchanging of presents, then you have never been to New York on Christmas! The club was packed, wall to wall with, couples, singles, straight men and women, gay individuals and the ever present TG crowd. If you wanted to find a more mixed group of people anywhere you would be hard pressed to find any better than the Now bar on Christmas. The party was going strong when I arrived, with the regulars already very ready for the show and willing to pop another cork off the champagne bottle and pour a drink for someone they thought was way behind the drinking curve. I was behind but, not ready to try to catch-up, so I accepted a glass and sipped while waiting my turn to sing. As I prepared myself mentally to let my voice go with a Reba number, I became engaged in a conversation with one of the TG girls from Manhattan who I had become aquatinted with previously.

She is a member of a Social Club dedicated to the TG/CD/ TV community in New York and is interested in helping in anyway possible, those coming to the Big Apple for a visit or to live. For anyone interested, I will be glad to get the club address and phone number for you. It seems as if this is the largest club with well over 200 members in the Tri-State area. Anyway, we had a nice chat about our community, her involvement and mine in helping educate others about who and what we are and are not, than it was my turn to perform. My three minute performance went well, I was pleased with the sound and presentation and from the crowds response they were happy also. What a great ending to a fantastic night and week! I spent the rest of the evening talking with various people and before long it was 4 a.m. and time to head home. A quick taxi to the ferry, a twenty five minute ride across the river, a number of conversations with fellow passengers later, and a quick drive home and the event I had planned for was over.

 When I arrived home my dream of a TG Christmas had become reality!

The searching, finding, planning and culmination of my practice, practice, practice had come together in one week to give me the best present I could ever dream of! The only thing to make it better would have been someone to spend it with. For those of you who have someone, one who is trying to accept you for who you are, YOU are the lucky one. I can only hope that if you have a dream for a Christmas like mine it can be combined with the reality you share with your partner. What I wish for all of us is peace on earth through peace within and if not understanding than acceptance of who we are and what we are going to be! Happy New Year! See you in New York!

Love CJ (Lauren) P.S. I love mail, if you want to hear more about New York, tell Cindy, she will tell me and I will let Ya’All know>



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